Harbor of Refuge - July 30, 2025

Point Judith Light

I need to have just the right conditions to paddle around the breakwater at the Harbor of Refuge, and this morning I did - clear skies, calm winds, low tide at 6:00 a.m. and swells of just 1-foot. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Even after construction of the Point Judith Light (c. 1810/1857) conditions remained treacherous at the tip of Point Judith and a Federal project was initiated to construct over 3-miles of jetties to provide a secure breakwater refuge for shipping. Work began in 1890 with construction of the east (3,640 feet) and west (2,240 feet) jetties, and was completed in 1910 with construction the V-shaped center jetty (6,970 feet). A 1,500-foot opening was left for the east passage, and a 1,200-foot opening was left for the west passage.

Holes at the "V" in the center jetty

While the jetties were originally constructed to provide a refuge for ships traveling between Boston and New York during bad weather, they also protected the newly constructed Port of Galilee. In 1910, the Town of South Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island dredged the current Breachway and stabilized it with stone jetties. Then, in the 1930's, the State of Rhode Island dredged an anchorage basin just inside the Breachway and built wharves to create a port for large, ocean-going fishing vessels. This allowed the Galilee to become one of the largest fishing ports on the east coast

I lugged my boat and gear across the beach at Camp Cronin and launched at around 6:30 a.m. I was amazed how much damage was done by last year’s winter storms. The navigation tower at the east end of the center jetty was completely destroyed. Huge boulders were pushed aside leaving large gaps in the seawall, even at low tide. It's hard to imagine that water can move those huge rocks. I paddled by the cormorants and other shore birds resting on the seawall out to the tip of the "V" in the center jetty before heading back.

East end of the center jetty before and after the winter storms of 2024

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Harbor of Refuge - July 24, 2023

Point Judith Light

I was up early and the wind and water were calm, so I headed over to Camp Cronin to paddle inside the breakwater at the Harbor of Refuge.

Even after construction of the Point Judith Light (c. 1810/1857) conditions remained treacherous at the tip of Point Judith and a Federal project was initiated to construct over 3-miles of jetties to provide a secure breakwater refuge for shipping. Work began in 1890 with construction of the east (3,640 feet) and west (2,240 feet) jetties, and was completed in 1910 with construction the V-shaped center jetty (6,970 feet). A 1,500-foot opening was left for the east passage, and a 1,200-foot opening was left for the west passage.

Across the east passage

While the jetties were originally constructed to provide a refuge for ships traveling between Boston and New York during bad weather, they also protected the newly constructed Port of Galilee. In 1910, the Town of South Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island dredged the current Breachway and stabilized it with stone jetties. Then, in the 1930's, the State of Rhode Island dredged an anchorage basin just inside the Breachway and built wharves to create a port for large, ocean-going fishing vessels. This allowed the Galilee to become one of the largest fishing ports on the east coast

During World War II, much of the land on Point Judith was part of Fort Greene - named for Revolutionary war hero Nathanael Greene. Huge sixteen inch guns were located in the area now known as Fisherman's Memorial State Park to protect the west side of Narragansett Bay. Smaller fortifications were located along the shoreline. Fort Greene was part of a network of forts protecting Narragansett Bay including Fort Adams in Newport, Fort Greble on Dutch Island, Fort Weatherill in Jamestown, and Fort Hamilton on Rose Island.

Birds on the breakwater

There were just a couple fishermen on the breakwater, and a couple of boats heading out the east passage. The sea was relatively calm behind the breakwater with small wind-blown waves, but I crossed the east passage in 1-2 foot rolling waves. I usually I do the loop up the east jetty, down the west jetty and across the beach - about 4-miles. Today I did an up and back along the east jetty - about 2.5 miles.

The east side of the center jetty is in much worse condition than the west, which has been rebuilt. Huge boulders have been pushed aside leaving large gaps in the seawall. It's hard to imagine that water can move those huge rocks. I paddled by the cormorants and other shore birds resting on the seawall out to the tip of the "V" in the center jetty before heading back.

Break at the top of the breakwater

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Harbor of Refuge – July 25, 2020

Fishermen at the east passage

I felt a little more ambitious this morning, so I headed over to Camp Cronin to paddle inside the breakwater at the Harbor of Refuge.

Even after construction of the Point Judith Light (c. 1810/1857) conditions remained treacherous at the tip of Point Judith and a Federal project was initiated to construct over 3-miles of jetties to provide a secure breakwater refuge for shipping. Work began in 1890 with construction of the east (3,640 feet) and west (2,240 feet) jetties, and was completed in 1910 with construction the V-shaped center jetty (6,970 feet).  A 1,500-foot opening was left for the east passage, and a 1,200-foot opening was left for the west passage.

Breaks in the seawall

While the jetties were originally constructed to provide a refuge for ships traveling between Boston and New York during bad weather, they also protected the newly constructed Port of Galilee. In 1910, the Town of South Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island dredged the current Breachway and stabilized it with stone jetties. Then, in the 1930's, the State of Rhode Island dredged an anchorage basin just inside the Breachway and built wharves to create a port for large, ocean-going fishing vessels. This allowed the Galilee to become one of the largest fishing ports on the east coast

During World War II, much of the land on Point Judith was part of Fort Greene - named for Revolutionary war hero Nathanael Greene. Huge sixteen inch guns were located in the area now known as Fisherman's Memorial State Park to protect the west side of Narragansett Bay. Smaller fortifications were located along the shoreline. Fort Greene was part of a network of forts protecting Narragansett Bay including Fort Adams in Newport, Fort Greble on Dutch Island, Fort Weatherill in Jamestown, and Fort Hamilton on Rose Island.

Sea birds on the rocks

There were lots of fishermen on the jetty and several boats out by the east passage as I headed out. The sea was relatively calm behind the breakwater with small wind-blown waves, but I crossed the east passage in 1-2 foot rolling waves. I usually I do the loop up the east jetty, down the west jetty and across the beach - about 4-miles.  Today I did an up and back along the east jetty - about 2.5 miles.  

The east side of the center jetty is in much worse condition than the west, which has been rebuilt. Huge boulders have been pushed aside leaving large gaps in the seawall. It's hard to imagine that water can move those huge rocks. I paddled by the cormorants and other shore birds resting on the seawall out to the tip of the "V" in the center jetty before heading back.

At the tip of the "V" in the center jetty

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Camp Cronin fro RI Blueways

Harbor of Refuge – July 18, 2018

East Jetty at the Harbor of Refuge

After a few days of paddling in Point Judith Pond, I decided to head over to Camp Cronin to paddle the Harbor of Refuge. The tide was low but coming in, and the wind was from the north blowing across the harbor.  

Despite the construction of the Point Judith Light (c. 1810/1857), conditions remained treacherous around Point Judith, and a Federal project was initiated to construct over 3-miles of jetties to provide a secure breakwater refuge for shipping. Work began in 1890 with construction of the east (3,640 feet) and west (2,240 feet) jetties, and was completed in 1910 with construction the V-shaped center jetty (6,970 feet).  A 1,500 foot opening was left for the east passage, and a 1,200 foot opening was left for the west passage.

Breakwater to the Harbor of  Refuge

While the jetties were originally constructed to provide a refuge for ships traveling between Boston and New York during bad weather, they also protected the newly constructed Port of Galilee. In 1910, the Town of South Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island dredged the current Breachway and stabilized it with stone jetties. 

Then, in the 1930's, the State of Rhode Island dredged an anchorage basin just inside the Breachway and built wharves to create a port for large, ocean-going fishing vessels. This allowed the Galilee to become one of the largest fishing ports on the east coast

Breaks in the rocks on the East Jetty

During World War II, much of the land on Point Judith was part of Fort Greene - named for Revolutionary war hero Nathanael Greene. Huge sixteen inch guns were located in the area now known as Fisherman's Memorial State Park to protect the west side of Narragansett Bay. Smaller fortifications were located along the shoreline. Fort Greene was part of a network of forts protecting Narragansett Bay including Fort Adams in Newport, Fort Greble on Dutch Island, Fort Weatherill in Jamestown, and Fort Hamilton on Rose Island.

There were surprisingly few fishermen on the east jetty as I headed out. The sea was relatively calm behind the breakwater with small wind-blown waves, but I crossed the east passage in 1-2 foot rolling waves – always the most stressful part of the trip.

Waves breaking on the East Jetty

The east side of the center jetty is in much worse condition than the west. Huge boulders were pushed aside leaving large gaps in the seawall. It's hard to imagine that water can move those huge rocks, but seeing the waves crash on the rocks give you some idea of the power. I paddled by the cormorants and other shore birds resting on the seawall, and got some pictures of the waves breaking on the rocks. Surprisingly, I found a small sandbar about a mile offshore in the tip of the “V” in the center jetty, and stopped for a picture.

It was easy to paddle down the west jetty into the wind, but a little more difficult paddling in the crosswind across the beach back to Camp Cronin.

Taking a break on the sandbar a mile from shore

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Camp Cronin from Rhode Island Blueways

Harbor of Refuge – July 21, 2017

Harbor of Refuge from Camp Cronin

After several aborted attempts due to fog, I finally got to paddle around the Harbor of Refuge from Camp Cronin. Its not a long trip – about 3 miles, a mile each leg – but its great for paddling in waves.

Construction of the Harbor of Refuge, which protects the Breachway and the Port of Galilee, began in 1890 with the construction of the east and west jetties. The breakwater was not completed until 1910 with the completion of the center jetty.

Fisherman on the east jetty

During World War II, much of the land on Point Judith was part of Fort Greene, a major coastal defense battery that included what is now Camp Cronin. Named for Revolutionary war hero Nathanael Greene, Fort Greene was part of a network of forts protecting Narragansett Bay including Fort Adams in Newport, Fort Greble on Dutch Island, Fort Weatherill in Jamestown, and Fort Hamilton on Rose Island.

There were a couple of fishermen on the rocks when I put in at around 6:30. The tide had just peaked and was going out. I was paddling into 1-foot rolling waves along the east side of the jetty. When I reached the east passage the wave increased to 2-feet - it's easier and less stressful at low tide.

Waves breaking on the center jetty

I hurried across the east passage, and was amazed how much of the center jetty was missing or underwater. Birds were everywhere, and waves were breaking on the rocks and flowing through the openings. By the time I got to the bend at the center, the east side seawall was almost gone.

As I paddled down the west jetty the waves were coming from behind. When I reached the west passage, I stayed out of the main channel and headed toward Salty Brine Beach and the Breachway. The Block Island Ferry pulled in just as I reached the Breachway. From there, I paddled perpendicular to the waves along the beach past Sand Hill Cove, and back to Camp Cronin.

Block Island Ferry in the Breakaway at Salty Brine Beach

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Around the Harbor of Refuge – July 21, 2016

Fishermen on the East Jetty

The winds were calm and the tide was low so I decided to do a trip around the Harbor of Refuge. 

The Harbor of Refuge is is located just west of Point Judith and is formed by three jetties that protect the Breachway and the Port of Galilee. The east and west jetties were completed in 1890 and have have been recently repaired. The center jetty was completed in 1910 and has a lot of breaks, which allow great views out into Block Island Sound.

View through the center jetty -
Block Island in the distance

I put-in at Camp Cronin, and paddled out into easy rolling waves. There were a few fishermen on the east jetty, but not as many as usual.  I hurried across the east passage to check out the center jetty - large gaps are revealed at low tide, and I could see through the gaps all the way to Block Island. 

I paddled the length of the center jetty to watch the boats leaving the Breachway and west passage before heading back to Camp Cronin.

Point Judith Light

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Harbor of Refuge - July 24, 2015

New parking lot and view of the breakwater

The water was clear and calm as I put in at the beach at Camp Croning to paddle the Harbor of Refuge. Construction of the Harbor of Refuge, which protects the Breachway and the Port of Galilee, began in 1890 with the construction of the east and west jetties. The breakwater was not completed until 1910 with the completion of the center jetty.

When I arrived at Camp Cronin, I was surprised to see the work done to repair the damage done by Superstorm Sandy in 2013. After that storm, most of the parking lot had been washed away, and the sand dunes had been replaced by steep cliffs. 

Break in the wall with a view to Block Island

Easy 1 to 2 foot rollers were breaking on the shore as paddled along the east breakwater. Boat traffic was light, so I hurried across the east entrance to the center breakwater. Once reached the center breakwater I was amazed how many birds were on the rocks. Most were cormorants, but there were also sea gulls, egrets and others. 

The water was crystal clear, and the many breaks in the breakwater gave great views out into Long Island Sound with Block Island beyond. At the west end of the breakwater, I sat and watched the fishing boats, charter boats, and ferries entering and leaving the harbor. I paddled back across the beach to Camp Cronin.

Block Island Ferry entering the Breachway

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Harbor of Refuge - July 29, 2014

Fishermen on the Breakwater

I didn't get to paddle yesterday, so it was nice to get out today at the Harbor of Refuge.  

Construction of the Harbor of Refuge, which protects the Breachway and the Port of Galilee, began in 1890 with the construction of the east and west jetties.  The breakwater was not completed until 1910 with the completion of the center jetty. The Breachway that connects the Harbor of Refuge with the Point Judith Pond was completed in 1910, and the harbor at the mouth of the pond was dredged and a dock constructed in 1935 to create the Port of Galilee.

Even in the protected part of the harbor the waves were 2 to 3 feet.  I could see big waves breaking over at Point Judith, so I decided to go over and check them out.  The surfers were out in force.



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Harbor of Refuge - July 30, 2013

East jetty of the Harbor of Refuge

The day was bright and sunny, so I decided to go paddle the Harbor of Refuge just outside the Breechway at the mouth of Point Judith Pond.

Construction of the Harbor of Refuge, which protects the Breachway and the Port of Galilee, began in 1890 with the construction of the east and west jetties.  The breakwater was not completed until 1910 with the completion of the center jetty.

When I arrived at Camp Cronin, I was surprised how much damage had been done by Superstorm Sandy.  Most of the parking lot had been washed away, and the sand dunes had been replaced by steep cliffs.  I put-in inside the east jetty.  Even there, with the strong wind and 1 to 2 foot waves, it was tough to make progress.  I paddled as far as Sand Hill Cove, and then headed back.

Point Judith Light and Coast Guard Station

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Harbor of Refuge – July 26, 2011

This morning I decided to put in at Camp Cronin and paddle around the Harbor of Refuge in Galilee. Construction of the harbor's seawall began in 1890, but wasn’t completed until 1914. It protects the Salt Pond Breachway and the Port of Galilee.

Cormorants on the seawall

There were a couple of fishermen on the east jetty, but otherwise everything was quiet. I was able to get a couple of pictures of the Point Judith Light (c. 1817/1857). It is now part of the Point Judith Coast Guard Station.

I put in around 6:30 at what appeared to be high tide. As I paddled into the passage between the east and center jetties, I was surprised how much bigger the waves became. Fortunately, my canoe handled the swells well, and I was soon behind the center jetty.

Break in the seawall

The center jetty was in much worse condition than the east or west. Huge boulders were pushed aside leaving large gaps in the seawall. I can’t imagine the power of the water that moved those rocks. As I paddled by, hundreds of cormorants and other shore birds rested on the wall, and a couple of sailboats bobbed in the water behind the seawall.

By the time I reached the west jetty, it was past 7:00 and the charter boats were pulling out. These boats created huge wakes as they pulled out of the breachway and sped out to the open water. I bobbed in the waves and waited for the parade to end before crossing the channel near the Salty Brine Beach. From there, it was a pleasant paddle back to Camp Cronin.

The schooner Brilliant moored in the harbor

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